Apex Performance Running Blog

At 30 years of age, I'm not old, but I'm certainly not a youngun' anymore. I've had my fair share of life experiences. Since the tail-end of high school, something that has permeated my life is running. It started out as something to do to be involved. There weren't any cuts on the track team, so why not? What could be the harm?

Apparently a good amount. As I allude to in my bio here and the linked to podcast, my memory of this time is almost completely dominated by various overuse injuries, not having the base of fitness to be competitive, and struggling to do well. But I learned a heck of a lot.

Continuing into college, where I ran in NCAA Division III Cross-Country and Track, along with another nine years of running after that, I learned many things not to do. Luckily, we learn much more from our mistakes than from our successes. I think I've finally reached the point where I have made so many mistakes that I am quite knowledgeable of the right things to do.

It is through these lessons that I can help others in their running endeavors, which is why I took the rather significant step of starting my own small business, complete with liability insurance and a professional website courtesy of one of my good friends from college. I admit, it is not without risk. While America is built on the backs of small businesses, most fail within a few years. Luckily for me, this is not my day job, but it is something that I am incredibly passionate about, which makes it not so much like work at all.

This is not just an endeavor that I am throwing a bit of capital at and hoping for the best. This is something that I will continue to invest in to make the most difference in people's lives. I traveled to Dallas this past March to receive my coaching certification from the Road Runners Club of America. This summer I am beginning to take classes towards an Exercise Physiology, Coaching, and Nutrition Certification Program at a local community college. I have also been reading all of the literature I can find on running. This includes Tim Noakes' famous 1,000 page book, Lore of Running, as well as Anatomy for Runners by Jay Dicharry, and the latest edition of Daniel's Running Formula.

This is not something I ever expect to "know enough" about. What we think we know about the human body and its many secrets is constantly evolving. One study contradicts another study which contradicts another study. Everything that I can learn, each piece of the puzzle that I can put together is another potential way I can help someone achieve their goals.

As the front page of the website describes our "ideal client" here at Apex Performance Running, LLC, I know that the people we coach have the desire and are willing to put forth the time and effort. The ultimate challenge lies in customizing a program that helps those people be the best they can be, all the while mitigating injury risk and setting realistic expectations.

Thanks for reading and I can't wait to see what the future has in store.